Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
 
Table of Contents
Framework for Adaptive Management:
 

Training & Education

An Introductory Guide to Adaptive Management for Project Leaders and Participants

Introduction

The purpose of this web guide is to assist those who wish to apply adaptive management, by providing a quick overview of the six main steps involved:

  • Step 1: Assess and define the problem,
  • Step 2: Design,
  • Step 3: Implementation,
  • Step 4: Monitoring,
  • Step 5: Evaluation of results, and
  • Step 6: Adjustment/ Revision of Hypotheses & Management.

The framework formed by these six steps is intended to encourage a thoughtful, disciplined approach to management, without constraining the creativity that is vital to dealing effectively with uncertainty and change. The details of how the steps are applied and the level of rigour used depends on the problem and on the imagination of participants. This guide is intended to provide direction, stimulate thought and augment discussions with resource people; it is not a detailed "how-to" manual. Nor is it a comprehensive discussion of adaptive management; those who want more background information can refer to the key references cited at the end of this document.

The six main steps in adaptive management are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Framework for Adaptive Management

Adaptive Management 6 Step Process Cycle
Step 1: Assess and Define the Problem Step 2: Design Management Plan Step 3: Implementation Step 4: Monitoring Step 5: Evaluation of Results Step 6: Adjustment/ Revision of Hypotheses & Management
AM Steps Elements within each Step
Step 1. Assess and define the problem
  1. Clearly state management goals and objectives
  2. ID key uncertainties (what are the management questions?)
  3. Explore alternative management actions (experimental "treatments")
  4. ID measurable indicators
  5. ID spatial / temporal bounds
  6. Build conceptual models
  7. Articulate hypotheses to be tested
  8. Explicitly state assumptions
  9. State up front how what’s learned will be used
  10. Involve stakeholders
  11. Involve scientists
  12. Involve managers
Step 2. Design
  1. Use active AM (to be defined later in Session 1)
  2. Include contrasts, replications, controls
  3. Get statistical advice
  4. Predict outcomes
  5. Consider next steps under alternative outcomes
  6. Develop a data management plan
  7. Develop a monitoring plan
  8. Develop a formal AM plan (for all of the remaining steps)
  9. Get the design peer-reviewed
  10. Obtain multi-year budget commitments
  11. Involve stakeholders
Step 3. Implementation
  1. Implement contrasting treatments
  2. Implement as designed (or document unavoidable changes)
  3. Monitor the implementation
Step 4. Monitoring
  1. Implement the Monitoring Plan as it was designed
  2. Undertake baseline ("before") monitoring
  3. Undertake effectiveness monitoring
Step 5. Evaluation of results
  1. Compare monitoring results against objectives
  2. Compare monitoring results against assumptions, uncertainties, hypotheses
  3. Compare actual results against model predictions
  4. Receive statistical or analysis advice
  5. Have data analysis keep up with data generation from monitoring activities
Step 6. Adjustment / Revision of Hypotheses & Management
  1. Meaningful learning occurred (and was documented!)
  2. Communicate this to decision makers
  3. Communicated to others
  4. Actions or instruments changed based on what was learned

In reality, some of the steps outlined will overlap; some will have to be revisited; some may be better done in more detail than others. All steps should be planned in advance, though it may be necessary to modify them later. All six steps are essential to adaptive management: omission of one or more will hamper the ability to learn from management actions. In addition, documenting the key elements of each step, and communicating results are crucial to building a "legacy of knowledge", especially for projects that extend over a long time.

This guide summarizes the key points to consider in each step and provides a checklist for quick reference. We have also included suggestions for creating the conditions that will facilitate long-term learning by individuals and their agencies, companies or communities. Some potential barriers to adaptive management, and suggestions for overcoming them, are noted in Appendix 2.

Learning how to do adaptive management is itself an adaptive process. Please let us know what works and what doesn't. We would appreciate feedback on the value of the outlined framework, how it could be improved, and how you applied it to different problems.

What are we trying to accomplish through adaptive management?

  • find better ways of meeting goals
  • identify key gaps in understanding
  • improve understanding of ecosystem responses, thresholds and dynamics, in order to adapt practices to fit changing social values and ecological conditions
  • gain reliable feedback about effectiveness of alternative policies/practices
  • encourage innovation and learning
  • pass on information and knowledge gained through experience
  • foster an organizational culture that emphasizes learning and responsiveness
  • in some cases, adaptive management may also help detect cumulative, long-term, large-scale, and emergent effects of actions